OHL: Greyhounds hire Keefe as head coach, replacing Stapleton

The Sault Ste Marie Greyhounds have relieved head coach Mike Stapleton from his duties and replaced him with Sheldon Keefe.

Keefe becomes the 18th head coach in Greyhounds history.

"This was extremely difficult decision," said Greyhounds general managaer Kyle Dubas. "I would like to thank Mike for his hard work and dedication to our program over his time here."

Keefe joins the Hounds after spending the past six seasons as GM/Head Coach of the Pembroke Lumber Kings of the CCHL. During that time the Brampton, ON native led the Kings to a league record five consecutive championships (2007-2011) accumulating a regular season record of 265-76-20 along with a 67-22 post-season mark.

Sheldon was also selected by Hockey Canada as an Assistant Coach of Team Canada East for the 2012 World Jr. A Challenge and was named Head Coach for the 2011 Canadian Jr. A Top Prospect game.

"In every conversation that I had regarding a replacement for Mike, whether it was with NHL scouts or executives, Hockey Canada personnel, or his competitors at the Junior A level one of the first names that kept coming up with regards to 'best coach available' was Sheldon Keefe" said Dubas.

Keefe played two seasons in the OHL between the Toronto St. Michael's Majors and Barrie Colts. In 1998-99 he was named the OHL Rookie of the Year and played in the Memorial Cup with Barrie in 1999-00.

After being drafted 47th overall in the 1999 NHL Entry Draft by the Tampa Bay Lightning he spent 125 games in the NHL before ending his playing career in the AHL in 2004-05.